Microsoft Word allows you to create documents of many different types with a great deal of customization. However, there are occasions where you may need to repeatedly create the same type of document. Word makes this task easier by allowing you to create a template of your documents that requires only a little editing with each use. Find out how to create a template in Microsoft Word 2007 after the jump.

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Steps

1

Launch Microsoft Word 2007.

You can double-click on a desktop shortcut or locate it in the list of installed programs by clicking the Start button on your Windows desktop.

Mac users can find Word 2007 in the dock at the bottom of the desktop screen.

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2

Open a document that will function as the base for your template.

Click on the Office button and select Open from the menu. Double-click on the name of the file you need.

If you want to create a template from a blank document, click the Office button, choose "New" and double-click the blank document icon.

3

Click the Office button and "mouse over" the arrow next to the "Save As" option.

4

Choose "Word Template" from the slide-out menu.

A window will launch allowing you to name your document template, choose where it will be saved and change the document type.

Click "Templates" under the "Favorite Links" listing in the left pane of this pop-up window.

5

Name your document template.

Make sure that the "Save as type" option is set to "Word Template (*.dotx)" below the file name.

You can also maintain compatibility with earlier versions of Word and save a thumbnail to represent the file by checking the appropriate boxes.

6

Save the document template by clicking the "Save" button. The "Save As" window will close.

7

Use your template when creating future documents.

Click the Office button, choose "Templates" in the left pane of the pop-up window and select your template from the files available.

Save the template as a regular Word 2007 document in the appropriate place and with a unique file name.

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Tips

​It is usually quicker and easier to create a template from an existing file, especially if much of the document will be duplicated when used as a template. However, be sure to highlight areas on your template that must change with each new use, such as dates and names.

Warnings

Be wary of opening document templates that contain macros, especially if you do not know the author of these templates. Word 2007 documents can transmit computer viruses via macros.

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